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Ireland Discovery Tour (North)
The northern half of Ireland is often unjustly overlooked by tourists flocking to
the more popular south. If you like less crowded places or have already visited
the South on previous trips, this is the tour for you.
Several days of this tour are spent in Northern Ireland, which is home to some of Ireland's most interesting and spectacular locations, which in this now peaceful region are finally getting the attention they deserve.
The itinerary assumes arrival to and departure from Shannon Airport. If that is not the case we can alter the running order to take account of your plans.
Fully guided tour - 10 days - 9 nights
This tour can start on any date.
Tour Overview Detailed Itinerary Price Guide How to Book
Ireland Discovery North
Your tour will be a private one, specially arranged for your party - you will not be joining a larger group. This means that should you require any customizations to the itinerary or any other aspect of the tour this can easily be arranged.
The itinerary includes optional tours of Belfast and Dublin cities. If you are not a city lover, you have the alternative of touring County Down and the Mountains of Mourne instead of Belfast or taking a trip around Wicklow, with a visit to the monastery at Glendalough as an alternative to Dublin.
Tour Highlights
- Touring the scenic regions of Burren, including an exhilarating walk along the Cliffs of Moher
- Majestic Connemara, with it's unique light beloved of artists and photographers and it's capital, Clifden.
- The spectacular coastal scenery of Donegal, including the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Bunglas
- Visits to the Ulster American Folk park and to the famous Beleek Pottery.
- Exploring the World Heritage site at the Giant's Causeway.
- A visit to the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery with a chance to sample their wares!
- A chance to see some of the world's finest thoroughbred horses in the Curragh and the Irish National Stud.
Your Accommodation
You will stay in 3 star hotels specially selected for their superior quality and service for 9 nights - 1 night in Galway, 2 nights in Sligo, 1 nights in Derry, 2 nights in Hollywood, 2 night in Dublin and I night in Limerick. You can opt to upgrade to 4 star or 5 star accommodation in any or each location if you wish.
All accommodation is in rooms with private bathrooms and breakfast is included each morning.
Your Driver/Guide
Your guide will be an experienced drivers with an impeccable safety record and will have an extensive knowledge of Ireland. More than that, all our guides are friendly, flexible and easy company, adept at dealing with any problems that may arise and at making sure their guests have the best possible experience at each place they visit. They are committed to making your trip an enjoyable and truly memorable one.
As well as providing guided tours each day, guides are happy to make suggestions about good places to eat out or about evening entertainment options and to make reservations for you also.
Transport
All our vehicles are recent Mercedes models, or others of equivalent standard, which are configured to maximise touring comfort and passenger space. Smaller parties will travel in a Mercedes E Class Sedan, others in Mercedes Sprinter vans or small coaches. All vehicles have air conditioning.
Detailed Itinerary
The itinerary assumes arrival to and departure from Shannon Airport. If that is not the case we can easily alter the running order to take account of your plans.
Day 1: Shannon - Cliffs of Moher - Burren - Galway
After your arrival we will drive to Galway through the wild and lovely
countryside of Co Clare. Depending on time, and how tiring your journey has
been, we can take in a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, linger for a while on the lunar landscape of the Burren
with its rare wild plants and ancient Dolmens or watch the traditional boats
or currachs sailing on Galway Bay while we take a break in Kinvara.
Galway, known as the City of the Tribes, is the capital of the west and is a thriving commercial centre and a university city with lively nightlife and many excellent pubs and restaurants.
Overnight in Galway
Day 2: Connemara - Westport - Foxford - Sligo
Connemara, an area of rugged landscape, bogs and mountains, is
known for its clear light and unspoilt beauty and is, as a result, a
favoured area for artists. Clifden, nestled at the foot of the
twelve pin mountains, is a renowned centre for breeding of Connermara Ponies
and was also the landing point for the first transatlantic flight.
Westport House is the seat of the Earl of Altemount, and the elegant and imposing interior is open to the public. As well as being a mecca for anglers, Foxford is home to the famous Woollen Mill, founded by a nun in 1892 and today supplying many top fashion houses.
Overnight in Sligo
Day 3: Donegal Tour
Leaving Sligo we pass the graveyard at Drumcliffe, dramatically
situated at the foot of Ben Bulben, and the burial place of W.B. Yeats. A
visit to Donegal town is hardly complete without stopping at Magees
Wool and Tweed shop, one of the largest manufacturers of Donegal
Tweed.
Killybegs is one of Irelands largest fishing port and home to some of the largest trawlers working in this part of the world. You will pass some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland en route to the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Bunglass. Glencolmcille is an Irish speaking village named after St Colmcille who founded a monastery there in about 550AD.
Overnight in Sligo
Day 4: Sligo - Beleek - Enniskillin - Omagh - Derry
Cross the border with Northern Ireland to-day, stopping the little village of
Beleek, home of the famous pottery. A drive through the nature reserve along the banks of Lower Loch Erne, bring us to Enniskillen where a wealth of attractions include the 15th Century Enniskillen Castle, the Palladian mansion at
Florence Court (left) and the eerie but spectacular Marble
Arch Caves.
Just beyond Omagh the Ulster-American Folk Park, built around the former home of Thomas Mellon, has more than 30 reconstructed historic buildings and is one of the best museums of its kind anywhere. Derry (or Londonderry) is a walled city and most of the 17th century walls, and entrance gates, are intact around the old part of the city.
Overnight in Derry
Day 5: Giant's Causeway - Ballycastle - Carrickfergus - Hollywood
13th century Dunluce Castle, formerly home to the chieftains of
Ulster, is perched precariously on a cliff top not far from to-day's most
spectacular stop - The Giant's Causeway.
This extraordinary place, with its soaring hexagonal basalt rock formations,
is the source of numerous myths and legends.
The drive along the lovely North Antrim Atlantic coast, through the Glens of Antrim, rivals the far better known Kerry coast. A stop at Bushmills to visit the distillery and perhaps sample its wares is worthwhile. Carrickfergus Castle, overlooking a pretty harbour, is the best preserved Norman Castle in Ireland, its "Knight Ride" exhibition is an lively way to take a step back in time.
Overnight in Hollywood
Day 6 (Option 1): Belfast City
Belfast City, for so long defined by violence in many people's minds, is
really coming into its own in recent times as an elegant, lively place and a
very friendly one. The centre radiates from central Donegal Place,
where the City Hall and the Linen Hall Library
are popular attractions. St Anne's Cathedral and the Opera House
are also worth visiting. Further afield the Ulster Museum, the
Botanic Gardens and Queens University are also impressive.
Belfast is a great shopping town with both international names and local specialist shops in abundance. For a break visit the Crown Liquor Saloon, a bar with a flamboyant and totally original Victorian interior.
Overnight in Hollywood
Day 6 (Option 2): Co Down Tour
This tour takes us along the edge of Strangford Lough as we travel down
the Ards Peaninsula, bordered by the Lough on one side and the Irish Sea on
the other. Mount Stewart House, home of the Lords of Castlereagh, is
a 19th century great house with a splendid interior, but it is the gardens,
among the best in Europe, that are the main attraction. From the village of
Portaferry we take the short ferry crossing to Strangford.
Newcastle, a popular resort town, marks the beginning of a drive along the scenic Mourne Coast, with plenty of opportunity to see the Mountains of Mourne as they sweep, majestically, down to the sea. From Newry we return to Belfast via Hillsborough, a showpiece Georgian town with many antique shops. The town is dominated by Hillsborough Castle, where many visiting dignitaries to Northern Ireland, including US Presidents, have stayed.
Overnight in Hollywood
Day 7: Dundalk - Boyne Valley - Dublin
Today we will have some fascinating glimpses into various
aspects of Ireland's distant past. The megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange date
from around 3000 BC and is thought to be the oldest astronomically
orientated structure in the world, 1000 years older than Stonehenge and older even than the pyramids.
At Monasterboice the ruins of an early Christian settlement include three richly carved high crosses which date back to the 12th century. Mellifont Abbey with its layout of dormitories, refectories, chapter house and kitchens intact, provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of monks 1000 years ago. Travelling towards Dublin we pass through the picturesque village of Slane and visit the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of the high Kings of Ireland.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 8 (Option 1): Dublin
Dublin is more than 1000 years old but much of its
architecture dates from the Georgian period in the 1700's, the many Georgian squares and terraces, with their
regular and formal buildings and ornate brightly painted doors (left)
are a feature of the city. Among the 'must see' places are Dublin Castle,
St Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity
College, Marsh's Library and the Custom House.
The main shopping areas in Dublin are clustered around Grafton St south of the Liffey and Henry St on the north side. Probably the best way to get around Dublin is to take one of the frequent hop-on/hop-off city tour buses which provide a commentary and visit all the major attractions.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 8 (Option 2): Wicklow Tour
Powerscourt Gardens are among
the finest formal gardens in Ireland, wonderfully situated at the foot of the
Sugar Loaf Mountain and with a famous waterfall as well as over 40 acres of
formal and informal gardens. The monastic settlement of Glendalough (left)
was founded by St Kevin in 498 AD with the famous 110 ft high tower dating
from about 1000 years later.
Avondale House in nearby Rathdrum was home to Charles Stewart Parnell, leader of the Home Rule Party in the early 1880's. The beautiful Vale of Avoca has a tradition in gold and copper mining some remnants of which can be seen in the countryside. The village is now home to Avoca Handweavers, who produce a unique range of well designed Irish craft pieces and fashionable clothing.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 9: Dublin - Kildare - Laois - Limerick
First stop is the magnificent Georgian mansion of
Castletown House built around 1730 and a world-class example of Palladian architecture. The Curragh is the horse-racing capital of Ireland and we stop nearby for a tour of the Irish National Stud and its famous Japanese Gardens.
Emo Court in Laois was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for the Earls of Portarlington and is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens adorned by statuary and a lovely lakeside walk. In Limerick the restored King John's Castle is well worth a visit, as is the Hunt Museum. Frank McCourt fans can take a walking tour around some of the places mentioned in his best-selling memoir "Angela's Ashes".
Overnight in Limerick
Day 10: Departure
Today's activities will be determined by departure times. For those with late flights it is a good opportunity to
see any places that were missed yesterday in Limerick or to
spend a few hours at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, which is very close
to Shannon Airport.
We will be at your service right up to your departure, when it will be time for you to say farewell - not goodbye! - to Ireland and head home with some wonderful memories. Come back soon!
Price Guide for the Ireland Discovery tour (North)
Important Note:
Because your tour will be specially created for your party, and only your party, it can be customized as much or a little as you wish.
This means that it is not possible to give an exact price before we discuss your specific requirements.
If your party is larger or smaller or you wish to alter the duration of the tour, change the accommodation class, or make other changes, this will have an effect on price.
Guide Price: €2200 per person, based on four adults travelling together.
The price includes:
- Accommodation for 9 nights in specially selected and good quality 3 star hotels.
- Breakfast each morning of your tour
- Transport throughout your tour in a Mercedes vehicle (or equivalent), specially configured for comfortable touring
- The exclusive services of an experienced driver/guide for 10 days
- Guided tours on each day of your trip
- A meet and greet service plus transfers to and from the airport
- All petrol costs, road tolls and applicable taxes.
- Booking service and advice about dining and entertainment
The Price does not include:
- Travel to and from Ireland
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities
- Meals other than breakfast unless specified
Send a Booking Enquiry
Please use the form below to send us an enquiry about booking the Ireland Discovery Tour (North).
Note: Because your tour will be customised just for your party, we need to discuss the details of your tour with you before providing you with a final price or making a confirmed booking.
